Tag Archives: Matthew 16:24-26

Whose Side Are You On??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 17

15 Sunday Aug 2021

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 17  Whose Side Are You On???

 

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,

and said,

Who is on the LORD’S side?

let him come unto me.

And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves

together unto him.”  Exodus 32:26

You might ask why such a question; well, the truth is it’s really the nature of the question that I want to address today.  Are we asking God to “be on our side”, or do we understand that there is really a much more important question to ask, and answer; “Are we on God’s side?”  Even the question itself says a lot about our mindset; are we focused on trying to convince God to approve of our plans, programs, and propositions, or have we gotten so far afield of our place before God that we no longer seek HIS face and HIS will for every aspect of our lives?  Ouch?

Joshua got it!  He understood that it’s not about our “rights” or our “desires”, it is all about “serving God” not “using God” for our own desires, purposes, plans, programs, and propositions!

“Now therefore fear the LORD,

and serve him

in sincerity

and in truth:

and put away the gods

which your fathers served

on the other side of the flood,

and in Egypt;

and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you

to serve the LORD,

choose you this day whom ye will serve;

whether the gods

which your fathers served

that were on the other side

of the flood,

or the gods of the Amorites,

in whose land ye dwell:

but as for me and my house,

we will serve the LORD.”  Joshua 24:14-15

The issue isn’t really, “Is God on our side?”; but the issue is whose side are we on?  Have we chosen to “serve the LORD”, or are we demanding that God “serve” us?  I am just a bit weary of people presuming to tell God what HE ought to do—the level of your faith isn’t measured by how much “stuff” you have “claimed” and “received” from God but the usefulness of your life for HIS service.  I remember an old song that Ray Stevens wrote and sung some years ago, and it kind of hit the nail on the head: “Would Jesus Wear A Rolex?”   What did Jesus have to say?  Did He call us to seek more and exalt ourselves or to serve others?

“And said unto them,

Whosoever shall receive this child

in my name

receiveth me:

and whosoever shall receive me

receiveth him that sent me:

for he that is least among you all,

the same shall be great.”  Luke 9:48

Our faithfulness to God is the question, not HIS faithfulness to us!  God is always faithful, but because we have, in many ways, neglected God and HIS Word and because of that, we don’t know what GOD said, so we believe what sounds good to us.  Scripture says something about that too!

“He that is faithful in that which is least

is faithful also in much:

and he that is unjust in the least

is unjust also in much.”   Luke 16:10

Are we being faithful with and to God and His Word?  Are we following the way that “seemeth right” or the way that is in line with The Word of God?

“There is a way which seemeth right

unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 14:12

James also addressed this issue of the measure of genuine faith.  And no, he didn’t disagree with Paul, he isn’t saying that we earn our faith, but that if we belong to Jesus and have real, saving, life-transforming, faith in Jesus it will be evident by our “actions” not our possessions!  Real faith serves—GOD and man!

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

 Depart in peace,

be ye warmed

and filled;

notwithstanding ye give them not

those things which are needful

to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

is dead?”  James 2:14-20

Dead means without life, and Jesus said a lot about life, one of those we want to note today!

“I am the door:

by me if any man enter in,

he shall be saved,

and shall go in and out,

and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not,

but for to steal,

and to kill,

and to destroy:

I am come

that they might have life,

and that they might have it

more abundantly.

11 I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd giveth his life

for the sheep.”  John 10:9-11

Jesus came to give HIS life so that we might have “everlasting life”!  Real life, and when we are born again by the blood of Jesus, in repentance and faith, we are called to die to self and live to Jesus.  Faith trusts and depends on the master, but it is never presumptuous.  We are to align ourselves with God, His Word, and His work, not spend our time throwing tantrums when we don’t get out way!  Oops… did I really say that?  Yep!  I did!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

To take up one’s cross means that I die to self and live to, for and through The Lord Jesus Christ; doing all to His glory as HE does all things for HIS glory and my good.\

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour is not in vain

in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58

And another of Paul’s admonitions and encouragements to all believers:

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.     

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

in all wisdom;

teaching

and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word

or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks

to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:15-17

“Whether therefore ye eat,

or drink,

or whatsoever ye do,

do all to the glory of God.”  1 Corinthians 10:31

And one of my favorite and concise calls to selfless living for Jesus is Paul’s call to the “crucified life”—crucified to selfish living and made alive IN JESUS to selfless living for Jesus!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

So, my friends, “whose side are you on”?  Are you on God’s side, doing God’s work, or have you chosen to go your own way, or follow someone or something else?  I’ll simply close with Jesus’ own words and pray that we all pay attention and choose wisely!

“For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”

And a thought in closing, I would remind each of us that the question is not “will you bow”, for all will bow before Jesus!  The question is “when will you bow”; will you bow before HIM in this life as your Lord and Savior, or will you bow before HIM as judge?  The choice is yours but choose wisely—there is a test!

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above

every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow,

of things in heaven,

and things in earth,

and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”  Philippians 2:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!

Making Worship For Me Or GOD? Bible Ballistics: BBs #737

23 Wednesday Jun 2021

Posted by in All About Jesus!, All Sufficient God!, Amazing Grace, Are You Ready, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, False Lives, Holiness, Holy Living, Holy Spirit, Repentance, REvival, Righteousness, Salt & Light, Salvation

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Bible Ballistics: BBs #737. Making Worship For Me Or GOD?

 

I may lose some of you today, but I must share the burden on my heart.  I am so grieved with the worldly things that are called ‘worship’ today; there was a time when holy things came out of the church to the world, but it seems to me, that many times now and in many places, the world has been invited into the ‘church’ to attract a crowd!  Let’s draw a crowd is the new “mantra” of the church in many ways, rather than lifting up Jesus, and calling people to repentance and faith, then “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you”!  (See Matthew 28:19-20). We spend way more time teaching people “books about The Word”, if we teach them anything, rather than teaching them “The Word of God” and how to apply it.

“Jesus answered and said unto him,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born again,

he cannot see

the kingdom of God…

… 5 Jesus answered,

Verily, verily, I say unto thee,

Except a man be born of water

and of the Spirit,

he cannot enter into

the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh

is flesh;

and that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,

Ye must be born again…

…14  And as Moses

lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,

even so must the Son of man

be lifted up:

15 That whosoever believeth in him

should not perish,

but have eternal life.”   Portions of John 3:3-15

As Jesus told the crowds shortly before His death—for HE knew HE would give HIS life for our salvation– HIS CROSS was, is and ever shall be the only way to God.  Jesus gave HIS life for yours/mine; knowingly, willingly, lovingly—yet we think we can come with our pretty words and claim HIS salvation without cost! Yes, salvation is the “gift of God”, but we can’t hold on to our way and cling to the cross at the same time!

“And I,

if I be lifted up from the earth,

will draw all men unto me.

33 This he said,

signifying what death he should die.”   John 12:32-33

Jesus had a lot to say about the “cost” of following HIM; but we seem to have neglected that part of Jesus’ message.

“I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish…

… 5 I tell you, Nay:

but, except ye repent,

ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

Repent means to make a 180-degree turn, from my sin into the arms of Jesus, trusting in His substitutionary (in my place), atoning (making up for wrong), sacrifice (payment for my sin)!  And there’s even more!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If

any man

 will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange

for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Yet the popular “t-shirt” philosophy of the day rules with total disregard for what Jesus said, I’ve seen several of late and it grieves my heart!  You fill in the blank, “I love Jesus, BUT_____”: I drink a little, I cuss a little, I fornicate a little, I lie a little, I steal a little, I disobey God a little (a lot really!)!  What kind of transformed life is this?  Jesus made it clear.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”    John 14:15

We have so compromised the message of Jesus, that we have a culture—a church—which believes and preaches the love of God apart from the holiness of God; or that God calls those who come to HIM to take up their own cross, denying themselves to follow Jesus—not in our own power but in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  And my friend, if you don’t have the indwelling Holy Spirit, you DON’T have Jesus! Ouch!  Hard but true according to GOD’s WORD!

“But ye are not in the flesh,

but in the Spirit,

if so be that the Spirit of God

dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ,

he is none of his.

10 And if Christ be in you,

the body is dead because of sin;

but the Spirit is life

because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus

from the dead

dwell in you,

he that raised up Christ

from the dead

shall also quicken your mortal bodies

by his Spirit

that dwelleth in you.”  Romans 8:9-11

Paul also goes on in Romans 12 to call us to a holy walk, a holy life before God and the world.

“11:36 For of him,

and through him,

and to him,

are all things:

to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies

a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove

what is that good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me,

to every man that is among you,

not to think of himself more highly

than he ought to think;

but to think soberly,

according as God

hath dealt to every man

 the measure of faith.”   Romans 12:1-3

What are you thinking?  Who are you seeking?  God, others or simply self?  We seem to have made the message, the music and the ministry of the ‘Church’ about gratifying the flesh rather than calling men to repent and asking God to send real heaven-sent, Holy Ghost “RE”vival!  When our music makes people want to do the ‘boogaloo’ dance instead of breaking our hearts for our sin and neglect of our Lord, and falling down before God Almighty, what do we expect?  Well, if you’ll pardon my ‘French’, I think we have gotten exactly what we’ve asked for: crowds with no conviction—people with no power—followers with no fire!  Oh, precious Lord, please send the convicting power of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT upon our hearts, that our churches may fall down before you in repentance, restoration and renewal to the Bible and The CROSS!  “There Is Power In The Blood” (written by Lewis E. Jones) and nowhere else.  May we truly sing “Revive Us Again” (written by Willian Mackay), and not “I’m Satisfied With ME” (instead of asking “Is my Savior satisfied with me?” from “I Am Satisfied With Jesus”, Written by B.B McKinney).

“If I regard iniquity in my heart,

the Lord will not hear me:”  Psalm 66:18

James made it very clear that we will give an account.  So, those of us who claim the name of Jesus, and especially those of us in positions of leadership, I pray that we fall down before our God and ask HIS forgiveness as we repent and humbly seek HIS face!  May we truly take James’ advice and humble ourselves “in the sight of the Lord” asking that HE “shall lift you up”!  Oh, Jesus may it ever be so—today!

“From whence come wars and fightings

among you?

come they not hence,

even of your lusts

that war in your members?

2 Ye lust,

and have not:

ye kill,

and desire to have,

and cannot obtain:

ye fight and war,

yet ye have not,

because ye ask not.

3 Ye ask,

and receive not,

because ye ask amiss,

that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,

know ye not

that the friendship of the world

is enmity with God?

whosoever therefore

will be a friend of the world

is the enemy of God.

5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,

The spirit that dwelleth in us

lusteth to envy?

6 But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud,

but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil,

and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God,

and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands,

ye sinners;

and purify your hearts,

ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted,

and mourn,

and weep:

let your laughter

be turned to mourning,

and your joy

to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves

in the sight of the Lord,

and he shall lift you up.”  James 4:1-10

May we not be like Cain, bringing the fruit of our own hands, expecting to please God doing “our own thing”, building on the sand and not the “Rock”! Jesus still saves lives today!

“For all have sinned,

and come short of the glory of God;”   Romans 3:23

“For the wages of sin

is death;

but the gift of God

is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Romans 6:23

Please Lord, have mercy on us today.  Amen and Amen!!!

Come And I Will…??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 06

23 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abundant Life In Jesus, Are You Ready, Armor of God, Ask God For Wisdom, Be Fruitful And Multiply!, Believe IN Jesus, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Clothed In His Righteousness, Compromise, Conviction, Crucified With Christ, Dare To Be Different!, Encouragement, Eyes that SEE HIM, Faithful, Faithful is He that has Promised!, Faithfulness, Father of lies, Fighting With God's Weapons, Follow Jesus, Fruit of the Spirit, God Knows His Own, God's Judgment, God's love, Good News, Holy Living, IN Jesus!, It's Your Choice, Jesus Is Coming!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Saves!, Knowing God's Word, Lies That Defeat Us, Listening To God, Not Of This World, Only One Way, Persecution, Redeemed By HIS Blood

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 17 No. 06 Come And I Will……???

 

I’ve been disturbed lately with so much of what I hear and see around me these days—even things from believers in Jesus.  Things that are so biblically unsound and yet believers jump on the bandwagon because things “sound” good and seems to make sense in our culture gone askew.  Things like “I don’t have to put up with____”, “get rid of _______ kind of people in your life”, “follow your heart”, and I could go on; but the point is believers in, and followers of Jesus are called to walk to the beat of a different drum, not the human heart or human wisdom and ideas.  You can choose to go your own way, but the consequence won’t please you.

“The heart is deceitful

above all things,

and desperately wicked:

who can know it?

10 I the LORD

search the heart,

I try the reins,

even to give every man

according

to his ways,

and according

to the fruit of his doings.”  Jeremiah 17:9-10

Paul makes it clear to the Galatian believers as well as to us, that we have the freedom to choose, but there is a consequence to every choice; and while we are free to choose our own way, we are not free to set the consequences of our choices.  God has made HIS way clear in His Word, and if we will but seek HIS face through HIS WORD, we will find the wisdom to live godly and discerning lives.  Let’s see what Jeremiah has to say.

“Blessed is the man

that trusteth in the LORD,

and whose hope

the LORD is.

8 For he shall be as a tree

planted by the waters,

and that spreadeth out

her roots by the river,

and shall not see

when heat cometh,

but her leaf

shall be green;

and shall not be careful

in the year of drought,

neither shall cease

from yielding fruit.”   Jeremiah 17:7-8

Living in Oklahoma, this passage is so picturesque—for we see droughts and heat and, what I call ‘brown outs’ when the vegetation all turns brown from the heat and lack of water.  God had Jeremiah remind us that when we walk in God’s ways, and trust to HIS care and HIS ways, we will be like that “tree planted by the waters”!  Being originally from Alabama, where trees are abundant and droughts rare, I learned pretty quickly that if you see trees in southwest Oklahoma, you can know there is water nearby.  Even the Psalmist used this same example of the godly.  Will you be one that spreads out and grows in grace and truth and ceases not “from yielding fruit”, or will you cave to the pressures of the evil day around us?

“Blessed is the man

that walketh not in the counsel

of the ungodly,

nor standeth

in the way of sinners,

nor sitteth

in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight

is in the law of the LORD;

and in his law

doth he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit

in his season;

his leaf also

shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth

shall prosper.”  Psalm 1:1-3

We have the freedom to choose, but we must decide whom we want to please and be aligned with?  Do we want to dwell in the presence of The Lord Jesus and our Father God (by the power of His Holy Spirit), or will we settle for the lies of the enemy and live in the “pig pen”?  Jesus is so often misrepresented today, He is passed off as a “genie” who will grant all your ‘wishes’ and make your life a ‘garden party’; rather than as The Redeemer of men, women, boys and girls who will receive HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice by repentance and faith.  Jesus came to die for my sin—how could I repay Him with any less than total devotion and allegiance to Him and His Word!

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will

lose his life for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give in exchange

for his soul?”   Matthew 16:24-26

We must stop measuring things by what the world thinks is good, and measure instead by God’s Word. (Period!). Satan has always been a master of deceit and we need to be aware of this truth—it is so serious that Paul mentions it twice in just a few verses of Ephesians 6.

“Put on the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to stand

against the wiles of the devil..

…. 13 Wherefore take unto you

the whole armour of God,

that ye may be able to withstand

in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.”  Ephesians 6:10 & 13

And with all my heart, I believe we are in “the evil day” and we must prepare to stand!  Jesus also warned us that we would face what HE faced—opposition, ridicule, spite and rejection; what will you do when righteousness brings the despite of others?

“These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater

than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things

will they do unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:17-21

The question is simple (but not easy), do you want to please Jesus and be in HIS Kingdom, or would you rather join the world and “know not him that sent me”?  And those of us who belong to Jesus need to remember that we are called to do things God’s way—not men’s!  And in my heart and mind I truly believe that Jesus has made that plain!

“For the preaching of the cross

is to them that perish foolishness;

but unto us which are saved

it is the power of God…

… 20 Where is the wise?

where is the scribe?

where is the disputer of this world?

 hath not God made foolish

the wisdom of this world?

21 For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom

knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them that believe…

…. 23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.”  Portions of 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,

All power is given unto me

in heaven

and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore,

and teach all nations,

baptizing them

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things

whatsoever I have commanded you:

and, lo,

I am with you alway,

even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”  Matthew 28:18-20

“There is a way

that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Consider these things and what we learn from them:

God chose the “foolishness of preaching”—

To save souls and change lives—

Not plans—

Not programs—

Not marketing strategies—

Not worldly entertainment–

Not circuses—

Not parades—

Not activity—

Nor ease—or excuses—or compromise–

Jesus said, “All power is given unto me” —

And because of HIS power, He told us to:

GO—or literally “as you go”—

TEACH—share HIS truth from HIS truth—

 Who—all nations–

BAPTIZE—bring others to identify with HIM—

 TEACH— (the second mention)—instruct—

What—to observe HIS commands—

HIS WORD—

IN HIS POWER—

For HE would be “with you always”!

The Psalmist reminds us, and may we let it resound over and over again in our hearts, that there is a way that “seemeth right unto a man” but it will never end well!  We must decide if we want to go God’s way, our own way, or the way of the world; the Proverbs say it best, in one of my favorite passages.

“Trust in the LORD

with all thine heart;

and lean not unto

thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways

acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise

in thine own eyes:

fear the LORD,

and depart from evil.”  Proverbs 3:5-7

There’s that “evil” again—oh how much we have been misled and often outright deceived into using the plans of man to operate the church as a business or organization, rather than an organism—The body of Christ!  I believe God makes it clear that HIS Word settles it all—not popular vote!

“For ever, O LORD,

thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness

is unto all generations:

thou hast established the earth,

and it abideth.”  Psalm 119:89-90

“Jesus Christ

the same yesterday,

and to day,

and for ever.”  Hebrews 13:8

Even when Peter and John were brought before the religious leaders of Israel, they proclaimed the truth of the Gospel of Jesus—no more, no less. Only Jesus—He saves, He secures, He sends, He supplies, He sustains!  He anoints, He adds, He orders the steps of HIS own! But it must be HIS way not our own!

“Be it known unto you all,

and to all the people of Israel,

that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom ye crucified,

whom God raised from the dead,

even by him doth this man stand here

before you whole.

11 This is the stone

which was set at nought of you builders,

which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other:

for there is none other name under heaven

given among men,

whereby we must be saved.”  Acts 4:10-12

“Praising God,

and having favour with all the people.

And the Lord added to the church daily

such as should be saved.”  Acts 2:47

As we bring these thoughts to a close, I share another message of Jesus’—we must each decide if we will hear, heed and obey.

“All things are delivered unto me

of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever

the Son will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

Even as Jesus said earlier, we are to “Come unto me”, but to come to Jesus we must let go of self and receive HIS rest—not our own sufficiency; for it’s all about Jesus—not man’s ways, man’s philosophy, nor man’s programs but God’s gospel—God’s way—for God’s glory and the transformation of lives today!  I pray that you hear my heart for Jesus!  He is coming soon, and I pray that you are ready!  Jesus still saves and changes lives today—by HIS substitutionary, atoning sacrifice at Calvary!  May we be found faithfully proclaiming HIS truth—HIS way!

“And they continued

stedfastly

in the apostles’ doctrine

and fellowship,

and in breaking of bread,

and in prayers.”  Acts 2:42

May we be found faithful!

Amen and Amen!!!

Faithful Pray-er Or Panic-er??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 23

28 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in All Sufficient God!, Believe IN Jesus, Blessed by God, Choices And Consequences, Choose You This Day!, Confidence or Presumption?, Consider Your ways, Daniel Prayed--Do You?, Daniel's choices, Daniel's Prayer, God's Faithfulness, Influence, Inspiring Others, Integrity, Liars, Lies, Light In The Dark, Prayer or Panic?

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 16 No. 23 Faithful Pray-er Or Panic-er??

 

As we finish up our look at Daniel and his friends, we look today at chapter 6, and we’ll see quite a contrast in kings and circumstances.  We looked last week at an arrogant king who had no regard for God or the lessons he had the opportunity to learn from; and saw that king meet his doom.  This week we’ll see the conquering king (although there were co-rulers in the empire, we will only consider one king) and even though a wise and discerning king, even the wise and discerning can be subject to ego, vanity and deceit.

“In that night was Belshazzar

the king of the Chaldeans

slain.

31 And Darius the Median

took the kingdom,

being about threescore and two years old.”  Daniel 5:30-31

Darius the Mede has taken control of Babylon after invading the city, as God prophesied through Daniel and the “hand-writing on the wall”!  Have you been paying heed to the “hand-writing” on your wall?  Or will you be taken unaware?  If we will pay attention to God’s voice and hand at work in our life, then we will find ourselves able to practice a faithful prayer life like Daniel.

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom

an hundred and twenty princes,

which should be over the whole kingdom;

2 And over these

three presidents;

of whom Daniel was first:

that the princes might give accounts

unto them,

and the king should have no damage.

3 Then this Daniel

was preferred

above the presidents

and princes,

because an excellent spirit

was in him;

and the king thought

to set him over the whole realm.

4 Then

the presidents

and princes

sought to find occasion

against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find

none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.”  Daniel 6:1-4

Remember God’s blessing on Daniel and his three friends?

“And the king communed with them;

and among them all

was found none

like Daniel,

Hananiah,

Mishael,

and Azariah:

therefore stood they before the king.

20 And in all matters

of wisdom

and understanding,

that the king enquired of them,

he found them ten times better

than all the magicians

and astrologers

that were in all his realm.” Daniel 1:19-20

Each of these men along with Daniel had “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself”, and God honored their faithfulness in this hard place, by blessing them with ability and success in all of their endeavors. How does your faithfulness and mine measure up against such integrity?  I hope well, but it doesn’t come without effort and devotion to God and His Word.  God displayed his faithfulness and revealed himself through his faithful servants in a pagan land; and I believe there is a parallel for our consideration today—we are finding ourselves living in a pagan land—a land that is defying the Lord God Almighty; redefining virtually everything that HE has established, for greed, gain and self-promotion.  How will we stand?  For how long?  Daniel has proven himself faithful for some 70 years in Babylon, and even the new Median King Darius sees the integrity and ability in “this Daniel” and promotes him to a place of honor and service; while he is considering an even greater promotion to chief in the land (under the king, of course)!  BUT—not everyone was excited about Daniel’s integrity or his success.  Why?  I think for the same greed, gain and self-promotion that pervades our culture today.  And I think, if you look closely, you’ll find the same tactics used these thousands of years ago, are being used today.  Satan’s tactics never change.  Let’s look?

“Then the presidents and princes

sought to find occasion against Daniel

concerning the kingdom;

but they could find none occasion

nor fault;

forasmuch as he was faithful,

neither was there any error

or fault

found in him.

5 Then said these men,

We shall not find any occasion

against this Daniel,

except we find it

against him

concerning the law of his God.”  Daniel 6:4-5

I find it interesting that even Daniel’s enemies couldn’t find any “occasion against” him in the affairs of state; and just like politicians today, I’m sure they left no stone unturned to find some.  Yet, these men in their eagerness to discredit Daniel, realized that they would have to be cunning and wily to discredit Daniel and could only trip him up with the “law of his God”.  The very thing that brought him into favor with Nebuchadnezzar, would now be used to try and bring him into disfavor with King Darius.  How hard would people have to look to find cause for discrediting us?  For most of us—including me—not very far.  We have all made bad choices, mistakes and just outright failures; but Daniel was a man of total honor, integrity and devotion to his God.  How about you/me?  These enemies went after Daniel in a way that brings me shame, for my faithfulness and consistency is often lacking in regard to my prayer and study of God’s Word.  Let’s see what they come up with.

“Then these presidents and princes

assembled together to the king,

and said thus unto him,

King Darius,

live for ever.

7 All the presidents of the kingdom,

the governors,

and the princes,

the counsellors,

and the captains,

 have consulted together

to establish a royal statute,

and to make a firm decree,

that whosoever shall ask

a petition of any God

or man

for thirty days,

 save of thee,

O king,

he shall be cast

into the den of lions.

8 Now, O king,

establish the decree,

and sign the writing,

that it be not changed,

according to the law

of the Medes and Persians,

which altereth not.

9 Wherefore king Darius

signed the writing

and the decree.”  Daniel 6:6-9

We ought to learn something from these men, a lesson in current affairs; their plan of attack started with a consensus of flattery, lies and deceit—ring any bells?  They told the king that “all” of the “leaders” had agreed to this plan—“all” that is, but Daniel.  But they left that part out!  They included only the information they wanted others to know about, the truth was irrelevant!  Sound familiar?  Then they flattered the king and used his ego to trap Daniel.  Are we so faithful to God that we could be trapped by our faithfulness?   This king fell into the trap of ego and self-importance, and we need to be careful of the trap.  And we also need to understand that the enemy doesn’t play by the same rules that we do!

So, back to Daniel, what does he do?

“Now when Daniel knew

that the writing was signed,

he went into his house;

and his windows being open in his chamber

toward Jerusalem,

he kneeled upon his knees

three times a day,

and prayed,

and gave thanks before his God,

as he did aforetime.

11 Then these men assembled,

and found Daniel praying

and making supplication

before his God.

12 Then they came near,

and spake before the king

concerning the king’s decree;

Hast thou not signed a decree,

that every man that shall ask a petition

of any God or man

within thirty days,

save of thee, O king,

shall be cast into the den of lions?

The king answered and said,

The thing is true,

according to the law

of the Medes and Persians,

which altereth not.

13 Then answered they and said before the king,

That Daniel,

which is of the children of the captivity

of Judah,

regardeth not thee, O king,

nor the decree

that thou hast signed,

but maketh his petition

three times a day.”  Daniel 6:10-13

Here we find Daniel’s enemies gathered—probably at the only “prayer meeting” they’ve ever attended—to catch Daniel being faithful to his God.  And just FYI, when they come to find us faithful to our God, what will they find.  Will we be found continuing to be faithful?  Will we have to scramble to even know how to pray?  Or will we just count it too much trouble and cave to the culture around us?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:24-26

If you’re not following Him today, when do you intend to start?  God already had a plan for Daniel, who, like Job, knew in Whom he trusted.

“Though he slay me,

yet will I trust in him:

but I will maintain mine own ways

before him.”  Job 13:15

“For I know that my redeemer liveth,

and that he shall stand

at the latter day

upon the earth:

26 And though after my skin worms

destroy this body,

yet in my flesh

shall I see God:

27 Whom I shall see

for myself,

and mine eyes shall behold,

and not another;

though my reins be consumed

within me.”  Job 19:25-27

God confirmed Daniel’s faith through this pagan king who had seen faithfulness in Daniel on more than one front.

“Then the king,

when he heard these words,

was sore displeased with himself,

and set his heart on Daniel

to deliver him:

and he laboured till the going down

of the sun

to deliver him.

15 Then these men assembled unto the king,

and said unto the king,

Know, O king,

that the law of the Medes and Persians is,

That no decree nor statute

which the king establisheth

may be changed.

16 Then the king commanded,

and they brought Daniel,

and cast him into the den of lions.

Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,

Thy God

whom thou servest continually,

he will deliver thee.

17 And a stone was brought,

and laid upon the mouth of the den;

and the king sealed it with his own signet,

and with the signet of his lords;

that the purpose might not be changed

concerning Daniel.

18 Then the king went to his palace,

and passed the night fasting:

neither were instruments of musick

brought before him:

and his sleep went from him.”  Daniel 6:14-18

Darius knew by Daniel’s life of faithfulness and integrity that his God would deliver him.  What does our life tell others about our God?  Does our faithfulness cause even our enemies to look to our God?  Or do we look so much like the world that no one can see God in us?

As Peter tells us, our testimony in suffering can make a difference.

“Dearly beloved,

I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,

abstain from fleshly lusts,

which war against the soul;

12 Having your conversation honest

among the Gentiles:

that, whereas they speak against you

as evildoers,

they may by your good works,

which they shall behold,

glorify God in the day of visitation.

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance

of man

for the Lord’s sake:

whether it be to the king,

as supreme;

14 Or unto governors,

as unto them that are sent

by him

for the punishment

of evildoers,

and for the praise of them

that do well.

15 For so is the will of God,

that with well doing

ye may put to silence

the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free,

and not using your liberty

for a cloke of maliciousness,

but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men.

Love the brotherhood.

Fear God.

Honour the king.”   1 Peter 2:11-17

So, what did Darius find in the morning?

“Then the king arose very early in the morning,

and went in haste unto the den of lions.

20 And when he came to the den,

he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel:

and the king spake and said to Daniel,

O Daniel, servant of the living God,

is thy God,

whom thou servest continually,

able to deliver thee

from the lions?  

21 Then said Daniel unto the king,

O king, live for ever.

22 My God hath sent his angel,

and hath shut the lions’ mouths,

that they have not hurt me:

forasmuch as before him

innocency was found in me;

and also before thee, O king,

have I done no hurt.

23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him,

and commanded that they should take Daniel

up out of the den.

So Daniel was taken up out of the den,

and no manner of hurt was found upon him,

because he believed in his God.”    Daniel 6:19-23

Daniel’s eyes were looking up to his GOD, not around at the lions; and his GOD delivered for Daniel’s good and HIS glory!  And, consequently, the destruction of the wicked, while God brought Daniel even greater honor.

“And the king commanded,

and they brought those men

which had accused Daniel,

and they cast them into the den of lions,

them, their children, and their wives;

and the lions

had the mastery of them,

and brake all their bones in pieces

or ever they came at the bottom

of the den.

25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people,

nations, and languages,

that dwell in all the earth;

Peace be multiplied unto you.

26 I make a decree,

That in every dominion of my kingdom

men tremble and fear

before the God of Daniel:

for he is the living God,

and stedfast for ever,

and his kingdom

that which shall not

be destroyed,

and his dominion

shall be even unto the end.

27 He delivereth

and rescueth,

and he worketh signs

and wonders in heaven

and in earth,

who hath delivered Daniel

from the power of the lions.

28 So this Daniel prospered

in the reign of Darius,

and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”   Daniel 6:24-28

Who or what is YOUR GOD?  Are your eyes on the prize—Jesus—or the lions—or the liars?

“But thanks be to God,

which giveth us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast,

unmoveable,

always abounding

in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know

that your labour

is not in vain in the Lord.”   1 Corinthians 15:57-58

May God bless and grow us in in HIS Word and HIS ways.  Keep looking up not around!  God hears and answers “prayers” not “panic”!

Amen and Amen!!!

A Month Of Gratitude??? #7. Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14

17 Sunday Nov 2019

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Attitude of Gratitude, Blessed by God, Follow Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Gratitude, Gratitude Is Timeless, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Thankful, Thanksgiving, That They May Know, The Crucified Life

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 14 No. 14   A Month Of Gratitude??? #7

 

Friendship: I thank God for friendship!  First of all, I thank Jesus for taking me not only as His child but also to be my best friend!

“Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not

what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.

16 Ye have not chosen me,

but I have chosen you,

and ordained you,

that ye should go

and bring forth fruit,

and that your fruit should remain:

that whatsoever ye shall ask

of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.

17 These things I command you,

that ye love one another.

18 If the world hate you,

ye know that it hated me

before it hated you.

19 If ye were of the world,

the world would love his own:

but because ye are not of the world,

but I have chosen you

out of the world,

therefore the world

hateth you.

20 Remember the word that I said unto you,

The servant is not greater than his lord.

If they have persecuted me,

they will also persecute you;

if they have kept my saying,

they will keep yours also.

21 But all these things will they do

unto you

for my name’s sake,

because they know not him

that sent me.”  John 15:15-21

Having Jesus as my Lord and Savior isn’t about having a magic lamp, or a genie—it means being crucified with the One who loves me and gave Himself that I might have life!  He did it all for me and having Jesus as my friend means not only identifying with Him as my Lord and Savior, but also loving Him and yielding to His work in my life; that the world may see Jesus in me and be drawn to Him; and I can only do that as I die to self and live to HIM!

“I am crucified with Christ:

nevertheless I live;

yet not I,

but Christ liveth in me:

and the life which I now live

in the flesh

I live by the faith of the Son of God,

who loved me,

and gave himself for me.”   Galatians 2:20

Jesus has given all for me, what less could I give to and for Him?  And Jesus Himself told us that the cross is the issue—He died that I might live, and I live by the power of His cross!  My friend, Jesus, gave His life for me—how could I thank Him for His sacrifice with less than my all?

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself,

and take up his cross,

and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life

shall lose it:

and whosoever will lose his life

for my sake

shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited,

if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?

or what shall a man give

in exchange for his soul?”  Matthew 16:24-26

Because I am grateful for the ONE who gave His life for me, I desire to please Him, and to hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” when He calls me to Himself, or when He returns for His own!  Do you have such a friend?

I am also thankful for the precious friends in this life whom God has blessed me with!  I truly believe if you/I have one “real” friend, then we are abundantly blessed.  If you have more than one, then you are greatly blessed; and I count myself as one of those abundantly showered with faithful friends!  I have been so greatly blessed by those whom God has sent into my life—some for most of my life—some for a season—some for a short time.  Some are still here, some have gone on before me; but regardless of when, or where, or how long we had in close proximity, I am blessed beyond measure to have shared my life, love and labors with these unique precious ones.

God’s Word says a lot about friends, and I’d like to share just a few of those principles and truths with you today.

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24

“A friend loveth

at all times,

and a brother

is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

“Open rebuke

is better than secret love.

6 Faithful are the wounds

of a friend;

but the kisses of an enemy

are deceitful.”   Proverbs 27:6-7

To have good friends, we must be willing to be a good friend; one who is there through thick and thin; one who stands fast in good times and adversity; one who is willing to hold you accountable to God’s Word; one whose advice is for your ultimate good rather than your momentary satisfaction!  How grateful I am that God has sent those kinds of people into my life—He has also allowed me to help those who stayed for a time; as well as those who stayed only as long as it was beneficial to them; and He has sent me those who have stayed the course despite my humanity!  God is so faithful and His love and care for me, as well as His faithfulness to grow me in His Word have helped me be a better friend, and I pray that I can always be that “friend that sticketh closer than a brother”! While I praise God for my siblings (whom I love and am thankful for also), we have often had great distances between us, and God has sent me friends who have stood by me in that “closer than a brother” kind of way!  My heart’s desire is that I will be that kind of friend to others.

Sometimes friendship has a cost, and just as Jesus paid the price for our salvation out of His great love for us; we ought to share with others that same kind of love in friendship!  True friends live and share the love of Jesus with one another, helping each other to become the best that we can be—to glorify our Lord!

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17

Are we being that “iron” sharpening “iron” by our walk with Jesus, or are we leading our friends down a path of compromise, indulgence and selfish, fleshly lusts?  It’s a tough question because it makes me assess my own walk with Jesus; am I growing in the grace of Jesus and helping others to keep our “eyes on the prize”—Jesus Christ Himself!

“But grow in grace,

and in the knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To him be glory

both now

and for ever. Amen.”  2 Peter 3:18

Oh, to stand fast in “the evil day” and bring glory to The Lord Jesus, to encourage those He sends to us, being grateful for each one HE sends into our lives, imparting grace, courage and love!

“Not as though I had already attained,

either were already perfect:

but I follow after,

if that I may apprehend that

for which also I am apprehended

of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.

15 Let us therefore,

as many as be perfect,

be thus minded:

and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded,

God shall reveal even this unto you.

16 Nevertheless,

whereto we have already attained,

let us walk by the same rule,

let us mind the same thing.

17 Brethren, be followers

together of me,

and mark them

which walk so

as ye have us for an ensample.”  Philippians 3:12-17

May we ever pursue the example of our Lord—He loved us first!  Loving others as He loves us—may we be the friend to others that Jesus is to us!  Thank you to all my wonderful friends—and a special thank you to those of you who have stood with me through the years—you are a treasure rare—and I truly “thank my God upon every remembrance of you”!  Blessings on your week! (Thank God and be sure and thank a friend!)

“In this was manifested the love of God

toward us,

because that God sent his only begotten Son

into the world,

that we might live

through him.

10 Herein is love,

not that we loved God,

but that he loved us,

and sent his Son

to be the propitiation

for our sins.

11 Beloved,

if God so loved us,

we ought also

to love one another.”  1 John 4:9-11

Amen and Amen!!!